The flip side is Mercedes, which is falling over itself to look fresh - and looking like a wannabe rapper's delight to my eyes.

The Giulia looks better, and the XF is in a different league, looks-wise.

Nice Guy Eddie

Not much wrong with that. Looks to hide its size very well but the interiors looking a bit too familiar over a 3 series.

Got to ask but what do you guys expect the 5 to look like, its not as if theyre going to rip up the rule book and start from a clean piece of paper especially given how conservative most buyers of this type of vehicle are.

Not much wrong with that. Looks to hide its size very well but the interiors looking a bit too familiar over a 3 series.

Got to ask but what do you guys expect the 5 to look like, its not as if theyre going to rip up the rule book and start from a clean piece of paper especially given how conservative most buyers of this type of vehicle are.

They did exactly this for the E60 and in doing so created one of the defining cars of the 2000s.

This is a good update of the current 5, the styling of whichI was never a big fan of, but the endless bland evolution of styling by the GGermans, Mercedes-Benz excepted, is beyond tedious now.

Nice Guy Eddie

Well they changed the design language of the entire brand, and therefore the 5 fitted in with the 3 and 7 as does this.

Michael

As with all 5 series the estate will look better. I like this, it's a nice evolution of the existing and I prefer it to the 7 series which look a bit of a mess to me.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

Looks like a BMW!

Seriously, they're not going to mess with the formula on this one. I'll be interested to see the Touring version when it arrives (next year?)

Not much wrong with that. Looks to hide its size very well but the interiors looking a bit too familiar over a 3 series.

Got to ask but what do you guys expect the 5 to look like, its not as if theyre going to rip up the rule book and start from a clean piece of paper especially given how conservative most buyers of this type of vehicle are.

They did exactly this for the E60 and in doing so created one of the defining cars of the 2000s.

This is a good update of the current 5, the styling of whichI was never a big fan of, but the endless bland evolution of styling by the GGermans, Mercedes-Benz excepted, is beyond tedious now.

Not much wrong with that. Looks to hide its size very well but the interiors looking a bit too familiar over a 3 series.

Got to ask but what do you guys expect the 5 to look like, its not as if theyre going to rip up the rule book and start from a clean piece of paper especially given how conservative most buyers of this type of vehicle are.

They did exactly this for the E60 and in doing so created one of the defining cars of the 2000s.

This is a good update of the current 5, the styling of whichI was never a big fan of, but the endless bland evolution of styling by the GGermans, Mercedes-Benz excepted, is beyond tedious now.

Giant

Stupid work phone!!! Gets stuck in a thread sometimes, appearing to be loading but is actually submitting post again, and again!

Martin

I'm not blown away, but it's pretty much exactly as I expected and like others, think the estate will be the better option again. It looks a bit more interesting than the E Class, I don't like the new XF and the A6 is very dated now, but the new model might be a good alternative.

The interior looks like it gets some of the better quality bits from the 7 which is a good thing, but I'm not a huge fan of the screen.

I don't mind it looking a bit like a bigger 3 series to some, especially as I think it look quite a bit better. I appreciate the under the radar looks of mine and that would be the same.

Michael

Have you seen the state of the exhausts in the Autocar picture, Martin?

Tim

Thinking about this a bit more then surely the way ahead is clear for the non-premium manufacturers.

Citroen, for example, seem to regularly come up with new concepts that bring a new styling language.
The obvious mistake here is that people don't like change so rather than existing customers buying a new car that looks like a close relation of their old one they're faced with a decision to choose something that looks significantly different at which point some of them will decide a change is as good as a rest and disappear off to a new brand.
The Germans have obviously found a good way round that!

Well they changed the design language of the entire brand, and therefore the 5 fitted in with the 3 and 7 as does this.

Not really, the 3, 5 and 7 under Bangle were quite different. The 3 in particular as it came last and BMW had lost their bottle.

BeN

Well to me it looks alright but not very imaginative. Basically they just welded a 7 Series front and a 3 Series rear together.

The thing is, people will buy anything with a BMW badge, so why not make use of that to come up with something different? The E60 5 Series and E65 7 Series are clear testaments to that theory.

Michael

People don't just buy these cars because of the BMW badge. It's a far more competitive market these days and with the 5 series being a source of significant profit they'd be taking a ludicrous gamble in the current climate being risky. I think this will look a lot more reminiscent of the E60 in the metal as the bodywork is so much more taught then the outgoing car.

Have you seen the state of the exhausts in the Autocar picture, Martin?

I've just looked at the pictures on a decent size screen and they're pretty awful.

The interior does look good now I can see it properly. It has a lot of the better switchgear and I'd definately spec the additional leather (dashboard, door rolls, wheel centre) as that really lifts it.

The thing is, people will buy anything with a BMW badge, so why not make use of that to come up with something different? The E60 5 Series and E65 7 Series are clear testaments to that theory.

I'm not seeing many of that horrible 2-series Mpv thing so I don't think the badge alone is a draw. The 3- and 5-ers are successful because they are great but more to the point their ancestors were market changers. The E39 was basically the best car of its kind by some margin at the time of arrival and was equal to the market right up to passing the baton on to the E60. The E46 on the other hand is quite simply the best car BMW have ever produced. It had a construction like a class above and could be specced to make you feel you didn't need a 5-er and in driving terms could be placed on an ant if the driver so desired. Never forget the E46 M3 annihilated the 911 (a sports car from the drawing board, not a tarted up family saloon) in a head-head test in Autocar and the RS4 was the only fast small-exec to challenge it: every AMG Merc was just a power-torque brute and anyone else's attempt doesn't even spring to mind.

BMW are still waiting for a decent challenge so in the meantime they are just refining what remain top of the class.

I'm not seeing many of that horrible 2-series Mpv thing so I don't think the badge alone is a draw.

I'm seeing a lot but maybe the comparative surplus of local BMW dealerships is to blame.

Wonder if the 2017 5-series Touring will have a near-vertical rear; could be interesting/interested.....

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

The E39 and E46 were marvellous cars, but what helped their reputation is that they had almost no competition, whereas the current 3- and 5-series are beset on all sides by some very capable rivals, with seemingly more arriving every month.

The thing is, people will buy anything with a BMW badge, so why not make use of that to come up with something different? The E60 5 Series and E65 7 Series are clear testaments to that theory.

I'm not seeing many of that horrible 2-series Mpv thing so I don't think the badge alone is a draw.

Perhaps not in the UK, but they sell in crazy numbers over here in these parts. Badge cachet and brand name still counts for a lot in Asia, and the 2 MPV thing also adds the appeal of being affordable and practical. A BMW Qashqai if you like.

I'm not seeing many of that horrible 2-series Mpv thing so I don't think the badge alone is a draw.

I'm seeing a lot but maybe the comparative surplus of local BMW dealerships is to blame.

I was out for a walk with Mrs Tim recently, bemoaning the devaluation of the 'M' badge, and pointed to a 2 Series Active Tourer (as opposed to an inactive one? ), presumably the M Sport version.
She looked straight past it to a previous shape Zafira across the road and said she couldn't see the badges.
They're probably a lot more common than I suspect but they just blend into the background.

Also, the ones I've actually noticed have all been driven by old people - the more wealthy versions of the kind who drive those hideous Ford Ecosport things.

Michael

Autocar have the official pictures on their site now. I assume the photographed model is an M sport with the somewhat aggressive bumper treatment and horrible exhausts. I look forward to seeing the Alpina estate version.

Big Blue

I also await the Alpina Touring. With bated breath.

PG

In another article Autocar have some side by sides with current and new.

They do seem to have hid the bulk better on the new one. In that trim anyway.

I love it. I would say it has sufficient differences to the 7-Series, unlike the C-Class v E-Class. I found the F10 a tad bland, especially after the E60. This looks more aggressive without looking brash.

I remember the days of BMW revealing the SE models from launch, and the M Sport/Sport models followed a few months later. It is quite telling that pictures of the M Sport model have been released from the off, I love those wheels – I find the outgoing 19 inch M Sport wheels look too generic.

IMO, it would look better in a darker colour, and there would be less of a colour contrast with the M Sport’s grey bottom.

Those exhaust exits – just no. Only round exhaust exits for me.

It is a shame that this does without the 7-Series’ carbonfibre bits. I know BMW speak of weight saving with the G30, it could have been even lighter…

I agree about the E46 and E39 being lovely. Even today, decent condition E46 or E39 with petrol 6’s would be brilliant.

Sav

Oh, and I like the fact that petrol non-M models will be offered in the UK. Not the case with either the E-Class or A6 - its the AMG or RS/S models respectively or the diesels.

I bet at least half them do - I know a number of people who are not car people at all yet always have to have a BMW or Audi and never even look to see if their money could be better spent elsewhere. The power of branding!

The new 5 is of course predictably boring (matches the odd occasion I've driven one too - the nicest thing I've found about a 5 is being a rear seat passenger) - the most flattering thing I can think to say of it is that it's quite neat and tidy.

Quite funny some of the comments in the Autocar article, such as calling it 'distinctive'

Tim

I don't like the excessive amount of 'styling' that has gone into the rear view.

I don't like the excessive amount of 'styling' that has gone into the rear view.

rear rear or rear 3/4?

Rear rear.

You've got the shape of the exhausts then that shape is repeated by the raised bit around the opening then repeated again round what I assume are the rear reflectors but to spoil it they've got a straight line in the middle just under the reflectors.

It's a mess to my eyes.

Grampa

Is overly fussy detailing not a BMW hallmark with the current range? (not the only manufacturer guilty of this at the moment)

That's some interesting surfacing - the way the two accent lines emerge from the top of the wheelarch. It's borderline too fussy, but the way one accent goes round the windows, and the other bisects the door handles is quite impressive. I also like the low vent behind the wheelarch, especially as it probably has some functional purpose.

Martin

The price list is available on the website now.

Martin

Just had a quick look at the 540i/530d xdrive, which are both just under £50k in M Sport spec and I added £15,740 of options without going completely mad.....so pretty much bang in £65k.

Getting one to the spec I have now would be £55,580, so slightly higher list price on a like for like basis, as the 535d was £60,000 and you'd expect to add £7,000 to get the estate body and more powerful engine.

PhilD

I'm not too bothered about the photocopy styling as it's obvious on the road if its a 3 or a 5 and having seen some more pics in the mags I think it's going to be a very nice looking car. The interior is a bit too conservative though. I'll take mine as an Aplina wagon in dark blue with a roof-rack.